FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2011
Contact: Dave Cheever, State Archivist
(207) 287-5790

Upcoming Event Honors Maine's Important Role in American Civil War

AUGUSTA, Maine – On Friday, April 15, the Maine State Archives will present "Saving the Union: The Call for Volunteers," at the Augusta Civic Center to commemorate Maine's entry into the Civil War. The event begins at 1:00 PM and is free and open to the public.

"It was on April 15, 1861 that President Abraham Lincoln asked states such as Maine to raise 75,000 volunteer soldiers to defend the Union against southern states that were seceding, primarily over the issue of slavery," said State Archivist David Cheever. "Maine answered Lincoln’s call with vigor and this event is representative of Maine's key role in the Civil War."

Maine’s Secretary of State, Charles E. Summers, Jr., Maine’s Adjutant General John "Bill" Libby, and Maine Governor Paul LePage will speak about how Maine rose to President Lincoln’s challenge to defend the country and the Constitution. Members of The Maine Legislature will also participate in the ceremony.

"Saving the Union" will include readings of Civil War-era letters from Maine citizens; music by the 195th Maine National Guard Band and Civil War re-enactors; choral music by the Bowdoin and Colby College chorus’; and color guards from the Maine National Guard and Civil War re-enactment groups.

For more information about this event, contact State Archivist David Cheever, or visit the Maine State Archives website at www.maine.gov/sos/arc/.